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Bale:
The end
product of a compaction process that is used to decrease
the volume that material occupies by increasing the
density and weight. Bales are typically 3' x 4' x 5'
and must be bound with plastic stripping or wire to
keep from falling apart. (Waste Reduction Strategies
for Rural Communities, prepared by the MaCC Group, with
support from Tennessee Valley Authority, March 1994).
Bisphenol-A (4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol):
An intermediate
used in the production of epoxy, polycarbonate and phenolic
resins. The name was coined after the condensation reaction
by which it may be formed--two (bis) molecules of phenol
with one of acetone (A). (Whittington's Dictionary of
Plastics, published by Technomic Publishing).
Blow Molding:
A
widely used process for the production of hollow thermoplastic
shapes. The process is divided into two general categories:
extrusion blow molding and injection blow molding. These
processes are typically used to manufacture plastic
bottles and containers. (Modern Plastics Encyclopedia
1995)
- Extrusion
Blow Molding: A parison or tube of plastic material
is dropped or lowered from an extruder. Mold
halves close around the parison, which is then
expanded against the cavity wall by the injection
of air. (Modern Plastics Encyclopedia 1995)
- Injection
Blow Molding: A two-stage process where plastic
is first injection molded into a preform. The
preform is then transferred to a blow mold where
it is expanded. (Modern Plastics Encyclopedia
1995).
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British
Thermal Unit (Btu):
The
quantity of heat required to increase the temperature
of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. (The Recycler's
Lexicon: A Glossary of Contemporary Terms and Acronyms,
Resource Recycling Inc., 1995).
Buy-Back
Recycling Centers:
A
commercially located, staffed recycling facility that
purchases small amounts of post-consumer plastic secondary
materials from the public. Buy-back centers typically
purchase aluminum cans and may also handle glass containers
and newspaper. Typically, little processing of materials
occurs at buy-back centers. (The Recycler's Lexicon:
A Glossary of Contemporary Terms and Acronyms, Resource
Recycling Inc., 1995).
BTX
Abbreviation of the aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene,
toluene and xylene
Block
copolymer
A copolymer that is a block polymer. In a block copolymer,
adjacent blocks are constitutionally different, i.e.,
each of these blocks comprises constitutional units
derived from different characteristic species of monomer
or with different composition or sequence distribution
of constitutional units.
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Plastic
Brief
